Resuming our our exclusive series on the 50 most valuable USC football players of 2012:

NO. 7 -- MLB LAMAR DAWSON

Vitals: 6-2, 235, sophomore

Comment: So how is it that a sophomore who has started only four games is the seventh-most-valuable player on a national-championship contender? Well, take a look at the depth chart: The No. 2 "Mike" behind Dawson is freshman Scott Starr, who's still learning the MLB position after playing primarily on the outside in high school. No. 3 is Will Andrew, a former walk-on whose best role is as a utility man and special-teamer. No. 4 is Dallas Kelley, who barely played last season (two games, zero tackles) after transferring from junior college. No. 5 is incoming freshman Jabari Ruffin, whose final position is yet to be determined. In other words, USC needs Dawson to stay healthy -- and to build on the promise he showed at the end of last season. The coaches have heaped a ton of responsibility on Dawson because they believe he can handle it. He won't wow you with his athleticism, but he's smart, seems to know the defense and is usually in the right position to make plays. That's all Dawson needs to do to be among the most valuable contributors to the 2012 Trojans.

(About the rankings: The criteria used to derive the rankings included players' past and projected production; their general importance to the team; how indispensable they are according to the depth chart; their position versatility; their ability to play special teams; and their leadership skills and other intangible traits.)

USC kept insisting Devon Kennard was a middle linebacker … yet he never looked comfortable as a middle linebacker.

Fans and media alike wondered why the coaching staff didn't move the talented junior back to the outside, whether at linebacker or defensive end, where he played in high school and where he began his USC career.

Sometime after spring practice ended, Lane Kiffin & Co. came to their senses.

Here are my top five observations from USC's spring-ending scrimmage at the Coliseum:

1. Passing thoughts

Quarterback Matt Barkley needs to play better than he did Saturday for the Trojans to have a successful 2011. Yes, I know, he was missing most of his receiving corps, including Robert Woods, and the offensive line is a makeshift crew. But that's no excuse for the accuracy issues Barkley experienced, especially with no blitzing allowed.

(Funny exchange on that subject: "We chose not to blitz," Monte Kiffin said. You chose? "It may not have been my decision," he said. "It might have been somebody [else], a guy with the last name Kiffin.")

On the last drive of the first half, Barkley had tight end Randall Telfer open down the right sideline and overthrew him. On the first drive of the second half, Barkley underthrew a pass for Robbie Boyer, and Brian Baucham intercepted it. And on the last drive of the game, Barkley had Markeith Ambles open down the middle and overthrew him.

** The first-team defense controlled the action early before the offense responded late against the reserves. Especially impressive defenders included Nick Perry, DaJohn Harris, Marquis Simmons and Dallas Kelley.

** Top receiver Robert Woods did not play after spraining his ankle playing basketball Friday. Receiver Brandon Carswell (concussion) and tight end Rhett Ellison (back) also went down, and the passing game struggled as a result. Quarterback Matt Barkley completed only 22 of 42 passes for 212 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.

** The running game got going after a slow start. Curtis McNeal, D.J. Morgan and Dillon Baxter all had their moments, averaging a collective 7.3 yards per carry. Morgan missed most of the second half because of a shoulder injury.

** Tailback Marc Tyler did not play. He's still recovering from a concussion.

** The defense dominated the scrimmage, allowing only one touchdown in 73 plays. The offense struggled to run the ball and get lined up properly. Of eight penalties, seven were against the offense.

** Several of the penalties were for illegal formations or shifts. Lane Kiffin wouldn't name names but cited "a lot of freshmen" as the culprits. That group includes the young tight ends (starter Rhett Ellison didn't play because of a sore ankle), fullback Soma Vainuku and receiver Markeith Ambles.